There is a sweet pea that is perennial--I don't know the latin name or common name of it though. A friend of mine has it in his yard. It might be the one called "Everlasting Sweet Pea". Clematis, I believe are all perennial. I have three that I've had for four years now. Morning Glories, in my zone, they're definitely annual. I think they are annual everywhere below Zone 7. Linda

I have a beautiful white one, still smallish, that I grew from a start off my Mother's plant. VERY drought tollerant. I planted mine in full sun next to a barbed wire fence. I watered it just enough to get it started and pretty much have neglected it ever since. I worried the neighbor's cattle would eat it, but they never did. Not even the wild rabbits touch it. Very hardy. Even after all the cold weather we have had, it is still green. They do well in any soil, but prefer poor soil. You have to help them get started climbing until they get a hold of their support. I have never known them to become invasive. The prettiest clump I ever saw was growing up the guide wire of a telephone pole, with delicate lilac, pink and white flowers. There were yards and yards of Larkspurs of all colors growing around it. Mother has hers growing on a white fan trellis with daylilies, roses and shasta daisies around it I think. If you want the lovely sweet pea fragrance, maybe try planting some annual types by it. ~Annie

hunnerbun, the species we were discussing are the commmon perennial morning glory species that make the noxious weed list for various provinces, and that are occasionally planted in yards (because they are, nonetheless, very attractive). (Unless you're pulling my leg...) I didn't mean to imply that every perennial convolvulus was necessarily a noxious, invasive weed... maybe they are, I don't know, but I wouldn't assume it without a lot more information. I don't have any familiarity at all with C. cantabrica, but after a quick search, it appears to be a Mediterranean species, possibly extremely tender. Why don't you do some research on it, as to hardiness and possible invasiveness, given that it is a different species from a different geographic background as compared to the ones that are known to be noxious weeds? It will be interesting to hear what you find out, and should you decide to grow it (which I would), how it does for you.

Perennial sweet peas are nothing like annual sweet peas when it comes to their growing requirements. I have them and they bloom away in the hottest of weather!!! I can't say if they need a cold period to sprout but as far as blooming, mine bloomed like crazy in August!!! It is 99 degrees here this week and they are blooming!!! They also don't have any scent!!! I winter sowed mine about 3 years ago and they sprouted and the first year they looked very sad and didn't bloom and I planted them near a trellis and forgot they were there. At that point they were about 3 inches tall and just a green little plant. The next year Lo and behold they grew up the trellis and bloomed away and have come back every year!!! This picture was taken last year when they were reblooming in July just about this time of year. Here is a link that might be useful: Perennial sweet peas